Question for the ladies only please!

[HeavyJazz77]

I was sure there would be a recipe for brownies in this thread somewhere... Darn!

[bass81800]

OK, I like talking about this topic. Female, and also play upright. Did a lot of research recently to buy a new bass for weeks. Criteria: lightweight, full scale, humbucker or Bartolini pick ups very important, looks matter (only like matching headstock).

I had some Fender P-Lytes in the past, still have my P-Lyte deluxe.

I just purchased an Ibanez SR500. Love this bass! Ibanez necks are the best! Nicely balanced, looks great with matching headstock. The first one I purchased was too heavy to me, so I found a lighter one at Guitar Center, less than 8 pounds. I also have a SR300 weighing in at 7 lbs. All my electric basses weigh less than 8 pounds. Have some minor back issues. Use a wide strap when I need to stand too.

Instrument weight is a big deal for me, and it is interesting how the same model of instrument can vary so much in weight. Sweetwater lists instrument weights for some instruments too. I have seen the SR300 range in weight there from 6.8 to 8 lbs.

I do not like short scale instruments, probably because I am used to playing upright. The Ibanez neck is perfect for me. Full scale. 4 strings too. I see no reason why a woman cannot play a full scale bass. I am barely 5'4".

Tried a knock off Beatle bass and sent it back. Light, but short scale and very uncomfortable.

[BawanaRik]

+1

Originally Posted by smcd

That girl has serious mental problems.

[Lilgray]

I'm a girl - new to playing bass – just started playing in early January 2013. This is my first instrument ever, actually - and my first one was a low end, full size Ibanez (model unknown) that I borrowed from friend.

I played it for two weeks, and knew I wanted to get my own, so I did lots of reading and research and decided to buy a SHORT SCALE; I ordered it online (stupidly) without trying it - it was a Squier (Fender brand) “Modified Jaguar Short Scale Bass”. I played that for a few weeks and it WAS easier to use (I'm 5'6", small frame - small hands, but long fingers - and remember, I'd never played anything before, so read on...) but it was so freaking TOP HEAVY. I learned the hard way to NEVER buy an instrument online without having played it somewhere first. Luckily I had at least been smart enough to not spend a lot (brand new it was $175 from GC). I bought an extra wide suede strap to help control the top heaviness and played on for a little over a month. Then, I joined a band and after my first practice with the band my left shoulder was just killing me, and my fret hand was starting to bother me as well (probably from tensing that arm) – so I wondered if the short scale wasn’t all that I had thought it would be.

I picked up the borrowed, full-size Ibanez again and realized I COULD play it – I think I had just not given myself enough time and the reason I struggled with the full size at first was more to being a beginner – not due to my physical mechanics.

This brings me up to just this last weekend. I went to my local music store that sells used instruments, and played all of the basses they had. I noticed the same top-heavy problem was apparent on all of the Fender models and ended up finding an Ibanez SRX700 that I loved. It felt great, nice even weight distribution, it sounds awesome to me, and it will complement the style of music I like to play. So I traded in the short scale and that’s what I have now! I’m pretty excited about it.

I am still adjusting to playing it, but it was way easier to switch than I expected – and let’s face it – I’m still struggling with a lot right now because I’m so green. But I do love this bass and the sore shoulder problem is gone. I still use the wide suede strap and it’s very comfortable.

I think basses are just like anything else in life – people develop preferences and think certain brands are better than others. But I think the person playing the bass matters WAY more than the bass itself, once you find one that doesn’t hurt your body to play it. And I will never buy something online again unless I’ve played it somewhere first.

[bass81800]

Yes, it is difficult to buy a bass online. I have an expensive history of buying four basses from Musicians Friend and returning all of them. One was an electric acoustic Ibanez, the cheaper one, that was rather bulky. It was almost a heartbreak to return the Spector Performer. That was at MF for around $200, a great passive bass with a a solid, punchy sound, but, it was too heavy. Wish I could find a lighter one. Then I tried the Epiphone Violin bass. Nicely made and light, but short scale not for me and not that comfortable to play, surprisingly. Finally, SR500 Ibanez arrived. Thought this was the one, but found a lighter SR500 at my local GC that had been there all along. Finally, found the right bass!

Musicians Friend and Guitar Center both have a generous 30-day no questions really asked return quality, but I did have to pay for the shipping.

[BassSurfer]

Originally Posted by TolerancEJ

Not trolling at all. OP has a valid question.

+1000. Posts like this should just be ignored (in which they have been on this thread atleast)

[Airscape]

Originally Posted by Evil Undead

I'm wanting to know what kind of bass you feel most comfortable playing.

The info I'm interested in is brand/model, scale length, number of strings, string spacing, etc.

I just want to get a feel for what type of basses women feel suit them best.

Thanks for your time

I love my Ibanez Axstar. It's super small and light, thanks to the headless + half-width body design. It's also very well balanced, which small light basses aren't always. 34" scale, 5 strings, but the neck is slimmer than some 4s I've played thanks to the very close string spacing. Works great for my really little hands (I'm 5'2"). Downsides are A.) it's really difficult to change the strings, and B.) it's also really difficult to turn the tuning knobs - but it does hold its tune better than any other instrument I've had. And the half-width body is nice because it's easy to wear at any height without certain attributes getting in the way.

[lennie28]

Originally Posted by Evil Undead

I'm wanting to know what kind of bass you feel most comfortable playing.

The info I'm interested in is brand/model, scale length, number of strings, string spacing, etc.

I just want to get a feel for what type of basses women feel suit them best.

Thanks for your time

I'm female and have been playing an Ibanez SR500 for about 5 years now, I absolutely love this bass mainly because of its thin neck, it's really light and the string spacing isn't huge. I chose this one over a Warwick as it played just as well, if not better, and had a much nicer pricetag.

Recently I've bought a 5 string as my 4 string couldn't handle the low tunings of my band - Ibanez BTB405. Whilst the sting spacing on this bass is similar to the SR500, it's an extremely heavy bass. It also has a 35" neck, whereas my SR is 34". Now I'm pretty petite and only 5'2" but this doesn't make a difference for me, I can handle the longer neck and I'll simply get a thicker strap to avoid backache on stage.

As a brand I feel Ibanez are the basses for me and I've gone for quite opposite models but feel comfortable playing them both!

Basses I don't like are Fenders, both 4 and 5 string, as I find the bodies are far too large, the string spacing too wide and I just feel they're clunky to play.

[bass81800]

The SR500 is a great bass. I had to try a few until I found the lightest one, and I am so happy with this bass, too.

I also just purchased an Ibanez Artcore bass. I went to the sweetwater. com site where they often list the weights of the basses, and found a particular one that was under 7 lbs. Getting nothing but compliments for this bass, and, with flatwounds, it sounds great!

Since I am female with some back issues, I have to travel light!

[SactoBass]

Originally Posted by bass81800

I went to the sweetwater. com site where they often list the weights of the basses

+1

I have no affiliation with Sweetwater, but what I like about their site is that they list the weight, nut width, fretboard radius, and of course, scale, for the basses that they have in stock. Plus, for the basses they have in stock, they have pics posted of the actual bass that you would receive.

So, for someone looking for particular specs, I like the way Sweetwater does it.

I wish all TB'ers posting in the TB "basses for sale" classifieds would include that same information as it would be helpful for those shopping for a bass with certain specs.

(Btw, for full disclosure, I am a male. Hopefully my post is helpful and gender-neutral.)

[Trayster2]

Originally Posted by Evil Undead

I'm wanting to know what kind of bass you feel most comfortable playing.

The info I'm interested in is brand/model, scale length, number of strings, string spacing, etc.

I just want to get a feel for what type of basses women feel suit them best.

Thanks for your time

I wish I could feel great with a Fender, but Ibanez full-scale 4-string soundgears do it for me! I have a short scale also, but I actually rarely play it & may even sell someday.

[Trayster2]

Originally Posted by Lilgray

I'm a girl - new to playing bass – just started playing in early January 2013. This is my first instrument ever, actually - and my first one was a low end, full size Ibanez (model unknown) that I borrowed from friend.

I played it for two weeks, and knew I wanted to get my own, so I did lots of reading and research and decided to buy a SHORT SCALE; I ordered it online (stupidly) without trying it - it was a Squier (Fender brand) “Modified Jaguar Short Scale Bass”. I played that for a few weeks and it WAS easier to use (I'm 5'6", small frame - small hands, but long fingers - and remember, I'd never played anything before, so read on...) but it was so freaking TOP HEAVY. I learned the hard way to NEVER buy an instrument online without having played it somewhere first. Luckily I had at least been smart enough to not spend a lot (brand new it was $175 from GC). I bought an extra wide suede strap to help control the top heaviness and played on for a little over a month. Then, I joined a band and after my first practice with the band my left shoulder was just killing me, and my fret hand was starting to bother me as well (probably from tensing that arm) – so I wondered if the short scale wasn’t all that I had thought it would be.

I picked up the borrowed, full-size Ibanez again and realized I COULD play it – I think I had just not given myself enough time and the reason I struggled with the full size at first was more to being a beginner – not due to my physical mechanics.

This brings me up to just this last weekend. I went to my local music store that sells used instruments, and played all of the basses they had. I noticed the same top-heavy problem was apparent on all of the Fender models and ended up finding an Ibanez SRX700 that I loved. It felt great, nice even weight distribution, it sounds awesome to me, and it will complement the style of music I like to play. So I traded in the short scale and that’s what I have now! I’m pretty excited about it.

I am still adjusting to playing it, but it was way easier to switch than I expected – and let’s face it – I’m still struggling with a lot right now because I’m so green. But I do love this bass and the sore shoulder problem is gone. I still use the wide suede strap and it’s very comfortable.

I think basses are just like anything else in life – people develop preferences and think certain brands are better than others. But I think the person playing the bass matters WAY more than the bass itself, once you find one that doesn’t hurt your body to play it. And I will never buy something online again unless I’ve played it somewhere first.

I loved your post because I made a lot of the same mistakes you made (I'm playing since August). I also love Ibanez basses (after experimenting with a P-bass). Try this bass strap: http://www.amazon.com/Neotech-560100...h+guitar+strap
It will make the bass feel half the weight & this is coming from a female with a slipped disc in the back. Good luck, & keep us posted.

[AuntieBeeb]

Originally Posted by DandersonCooper

I once dated a musician who was shopping at a local GC. One of the employees approached her and said that the particular guitar may be too heavy for her, and that she should pick a selection of guitars that were more suitable for girls. She was seconds away from swinging that Les Paul into his face (her main axes were in fact vintage les pauls). Her rage carried on for several days.

Quite apart from the fact that Mr Cooper is probably exaggerating slightly for the sake of telling a good story, I don't think the woman in question was over-reacting. I'm going to hazard a guess that this wasn't the first time she'd encountered that kind of patronising rubbish since taking up the guitar, let alone in her life in general. Steve Lawson puts it better than I ever could:
http://www.stevelawson.net/2012/10/w...ejudice-vol-1/ (fifth para onwards for those in a hurry)

[Lilgray]

Thanks, Trayster2! I have a Franklin strap that I love - it's suede and 3" wide so it doesn't slip. I must say, even though my SRX700 weighs a TON, I barely notice it because the weight is so evenly balanced! It was made in 2003 and is swamp ash with a through-neck - one heavy mo-fo. I can't believe how good this bass feels - I always play standing, and even after a few hours the weight isn't an issue at all!

[Kmonk]

I am also a guy but the most comfortable basses I've ever played are Spector.

[gadgetgirl]

Rickenbacker 4003

[Luckydog]

My son's girlfriend played a P-bass and a piccolo-strung 34" scale bass for a long time in a world/indie/rock band. This was while singing lead. She has some health issues that were bothering her, and was looking for something that wouldn't require her to stretch so far for fretting, and also some strings that were easier to play, but still had lots of bottom. She bought a short scale bass and I gave her a set of Thomastik flats and she is very happy with the setup now.

[Sijjvra]

What do I currently use? a 35" Brice Defiant 5.

What do I need to be more comfortable because the Brice is heavy and the scale is just a little too long? 34" 5'er... if I can find a passive one that I like that can be tuned down to G standard without the B string sounding like mud because of the shorter scale length.

What is the MOST comfortable bass for me? My 34" Ibanez ATK 300 (that I sold, had too many dead spots and didn't do well with lower tuning) was very comfortable. It was a little heavy, but not too bad, and the neck felt great.

I have very short fingers and small hands. I'm 5ft 4in so short. Really a woman can play any type of bass, but definitely some are more comfortable than others. My Brice sorta kills me to play because of how big it is, but I really like the tone :/ I need to find something with a similar tone that's a little lighter/shorter.

[Tat2dHeart]

I'm small-framed - 5'5" with small hands and short fingers. I have a few basses, but my main players are as follows:

Lakland 44-02 (34" scale)
Roscoe LG 5-string (35" scale)
Dingwall Afterburner Z-5 (37" scale on the B string/less on the others and with fanned frets)
Spector Legend (34" scale/4 string)
Lakland Skyline Hollow Body (34" scale)

And a few others all with 34"/35" scales.

Sound/Tone is much more important to me. That said, once I get the sound I want, if the bass doesn't feel good against my body when I'm playing it, then I won't buy it.

[i_got_a_mohawk]

My ex used to play an Aria IGB series bass, smaller and lighter than most basses.